Conveyance seat

ABSTRACT

Provided is a conveyance seat including a pelvis support member of which a state or the like is adjusted. The conveyance seat includes the pelvis support member configured to support a portion of an occupant&#39;s body where a pelvis is positioned and lumbar supports configured to move the pelvis support member. The pelvis support member includes a seat back side support portion positioned behind a back portion of the occupant, a seat cushion side support portion positioned below buttocks of the occupant, and a connection portion that connects the seat back side support portion and the seat cushion side support portion. The lumbar supports are configured to move the pelvis support member so that a position of at least one of the seat back side support portion, the seat cushion side support portion, and the connection portion is changed with respect to the portion where the pelvis is positioned.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/914,348, filed Mar. 7, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,518,685, whichclaims the priority benefit of Japanese Patent Application Nos. JP2017-146858, filed Jul. 28, 2017; JP 2017-043476, filed Mar. 8, 2017 andJP 2017-043475, filed Mar. 8, 2017, the contents being incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a conveyance seat, particularly, aconveyance seat that includes a pelvis support member for supporting aportion of an occupant's body where a pelvis is positioned.

Some conveyance seats such as vehicle seats provide a function ofcorrecting a pelvis state of an occupant (e.g., a seated person).Examples of such conveyance seats include a vehicle seat described in JP2009-137355 A. According to the vehicle seat described in JP 2009-137355A, an inclination angle of a pelvis (hereinafter, referred to as apelvis angle) of an occupant is estimated and an expansion/contractionmember arranged inside a seat back and a seat cushion is expanded andcontracted on the basis of the estimated result. This configurationmakes it possible to adjust a support surface of the vehicle seat inaccordance with the pelvis angle, thereby enabling correction of theposture (specifically, the pelvis angle) of the occupant.

In such a configuration, the conveyance seat may include a pelvissupport member for supporting a portion where a pelvis is positioned inan occupant's body. This pelvis support member is formed as a sittingtype and includes a portion arranged in a seat back (hereinafter,referred to as a seat back side support portion) and a portion arrangedin a seat cushion (hereinafter, referred to as a seat cushion sidesupport portion).

Further, in the conveyance seat including the above-mentioned pelvissupport member, the pelvis support member is preferably made partiallyor wholly movable for the purpose of correcting the pelvis state of theoccupant or the like. That is, there has been a demand for theconveyance seat in which a state, a position, and the like of the pelvissupport member can be appropriately adjusted.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-describedproblems, and an embodiment of the present disclosure provides aconveyance seat in which a state and the like of a pelvis support membercan be adjusted.

According to the present disclosure, the above-described problems can besolved by an embodiment of a conveyance seat that includes a seatingportion having a sear back and a seat cushion, a pelvis support memberconfigured to support a portion of an occupant's body where a pelvis ispositioned, the pelvis support member being arranged in the seatingportion, and a movable mechanism configured to move the pelvis supportmember. The pelvis support member includes a seat back side supportportion arranged in the seat back and positioned behind a back portionof an occupant, a seat cushion side support portion arranged in the seatcushion and positioned below buttocks of the occupant, and a connectionportion that connects the seat back side support portion and the seatcushion side support portion. The movable mechanism is configured tomove the pelvis support member so that a position of at least one of theseat back side support portion, the seat cushion side support portion,and the connection portion is changed with respect to the portion wherethe pelvis is positioned.

The conveyance seat of the present disclosure configured as describedabove includes the pelvis support member and the movable mechanismconfigured to move the pelvis support member. Further, the movablemechanism is configured to move the pelvis support member, therebycausing at least one of the seat back side support portion, the seatcushion side support portion, and the connection portion, all arrangedin the pelvis support member, to move with respect to the portion wherethe pelvis is positioned in the occupant's body. In this manner, astate, a position, and the like of the pelvis support member can beadjusted.

Further, in the above configuration, it is preferable that the seat backside support portion includes a support surface that is positioned onthe same side as the occupant seated on the conveyance seat and a sensorthat detects an inclination angle of one of the seat back side supportportion and the seat cushion side support portion with respect to theother and outputs a signal in accordance with the inclination angle, thesensor being installed in a central region of the support surface in awidth direction of the conveyance seat. In the above configuration, thesensor is installed in the central region of the support surface of theseat back side support portion in the width direction of the conveyanceseat. The central region of the support surface of the seat back sidesupport portion is generally at a position opposed to a waist bentportion of the spinous process in the occupant's body. The sensorinstalled in such a position only slightly touches the back of theoccupant. Thus, the occupant rarely feels a foreign-body sensationcaused by the contact with the sensor.

Further, in the above configuration, it is preferable that the seat backside support portion includes a support surface that is positioned onthe same side as the occupant seated on the conveyance seat, the supportsurface of the seat back side support portion has a recessed region thatis formed on a portion of the support surface at a position recesseddeeper than a peripheral region of the recessed region, and the seatback side support portion includes a sensor that detects an inclinationangle of one of the seat back side support portion and the seat cushionside support portion with respect to the other and outputs a signal inaccordance with the inclination angle, the sensor being installed in therecessed region. In the above configuration, the support surface of theseat back side support portion has the recessed region that is arrangedat the position recessed deeper than the peripheral region (that is, arear position). Further, the sensor is installed in the recessed region.That is, the sensor is installed in a region of the support surfacefurther apart from the back of the occupant and thus hardly touches theback of the occupant. As a result, the occupant rarely feels aforeign-body sensation caused by the contact with the sensor.

Further, in the above configuration, it is preferable that the seat backside support portion is divided into a first seat back side supportportion positioned on one end side in the width direction of theconveyance seat and a second seat back side support portion positionedon the other end side, the seat cushion side support portion is dividedinto a first seat cushion side support portion positioned on one endside in the width direction and a second seat cushion side supportportion positioned on the other end side, and the movable mechanism isconfigured to individually move each of the first seat back side supportportion and the second seat back side support portion and is alsooperable to individually move each of the first seat cushion sidesupport portion and the second seat cushion side support portion. In theabove configuration, each of the portion of one end side of the seatback side support portion (the first seat back side support portion) inthe width direction of the conveyance seat and the portion of the otherend side (the second seat back side support portion) can be individuallymoved. Similarly, in the above configuration, each of the portion of oneend side of the seat cushion side support portion (the first seatcushion side support portion) in the width direction of the conveyanceseat and the portion of the other end side (the second seat cushion sidesupport portion) can be individually moved.

Further, in the above configuration, it is preferable that each of theseat back side support portion and the seat cushion side support portionhas a support surface that is positioned on the same side as theoccupant seated on the conveyance seat, the support surface of the seatback side support portion is curved forward towards ends of the supportsurface in the width direction of the conveyance seat, and the supportsurface of the seat cushion side support portion is curved upwardtowards ends of the support surface in the width direction. In the aboveconfiguration, each of the support surfaces of the seat back sidesupport portion and the seat cushion side support portion is curved in abow shape. Having such a configuration allows the pelvis support memberto embrace the portion where the pelvis is positioned in the occupant'sbody. As a result, a function of the pelvis support member can be moreappropriately achieved.

Further, in the above configuration, it is preferable that the movablemechanism is configured to move the pelvis support member so that atleast one of the seat back side support portion and the seat cushionside support portion is rotated around an axis along the width directionof the conveyance seat with the connection portion as an origin and alength of the connection portion in the width direction of theconveyance seat is shorter than a length of the seat back side supportportion in the width direction and is also shorter than a length of theseat cushion side support portion in the width direction. In the aboveconfiguration, the operation of the movable mechanism moves (deforms)the pelvis support member to change the inclination angle of the pelvissupport member. In this configuration, the connection portion thatconnects the seat back side support portion and the seat cushion sidesupport portion is formed narrower than the above two support portions.This configuration can facilitate the movement of the pelvis supportmember to change the inclination angle of the pelvis support member.

Further, in the above configuration, it is preferable that each of theseat back side support portion and the seat cushion side support portionhas a support surface that is positioned on the same side as theoccupant seated on the conveyance seat and the movable mechanismincludes a first movable mechanism configured to move the pelvis supportmember so that at least one of the seat back side support portion andthe seat cushion side support portion is rotated around the axis alongthe width direction of the conveyance seat with the connection portionas an origin and a second movable mechanism configured to move thepelvis support member so that end regions, in the width direction, of atleast one of the support surfaces of the seat back side support portionand the seat cushion side support portion are moved inward in the widthdirection. In the above configuration, the second movable mechanism isprovided in addition to the first movable mechanism. The second movablemechanism is configured so that the end regions, in the width directionof the conveyance seat, of at least one of the support surfaces of theseat back side support portion and the seat cushion side support portionare moved inward in the width direction. Such an operation allows thepelvis support member to move (deform) to embrace the occupant's body(in particular, the portion where the pelvis is positioned).

Further, in the above configuration, it is preferable that the seat backincludes a pressure receiving member that is elastically deformable tobe displaced backward by being pressed by the back of the occupant whena backward load acts on the occupant, the movable mechanism is fixed tothe pressure receiving member, the seat back side support portion isattached to the movable mechanism, and the movable mechanism and theseat back side support portion are integrally moved backward along withthe pressure receiving member when the backward load acts on theoccupant. In the above configuration, the seat back side support portionis attached to the pressure receiving member via the movable mechanism.Then, the movable mechanism and the seat back side support portion areintegrally moved backward along with the pressure receiving member whenthe backward load acts on the occupant. Such a configuration preventsthe seat back side support portion and the movable mechanism frominterfering with the backward displacement of the pressure receivingmember.

According to an embodiment of the conveyance seat of the presentdisclosure, a state, a position, and the like of the pelvis supportmember can be adjusted. Further, according to an embodiment of theconveyance seat of the present disclosure, the sensor is installed inthe central region of the support surface of the seat back side supportportion in the width direction of the conveyance seat, thus the occupantrarely feels a foreign-body sensation caused by the contact with thesensor. Further, according to an embodiment of the conveyance seat ofthe present disclosure, the sensor is installed in the recessed regionarranged in the support surface of the seat back side support portion,thus the occupant rarely feels a foreign-body sensation caused by thecontact with the sensor. Further, according to an embodiment of theconveyance seat of the present disclosure, each of the first seat backside support portion positioned on one end side of the seat back sidesupport portion in the width direction of the conveyance seat and thesecond seat back side support portion positioned on the other end sidecan be individually moved. Similarly, each of the first seat cushionside support portion positioned on one end side of the seat cushion sidesupport portion in the width direction of the conveyance seat and thesecond seat cushion side support portion positioned on the other endside can be individually moved. Further, according to an embodiment ofthe conveyance seat of the present disclosure, the pelvis support membercan support the portion where the pelvis is positioned in the occupant'sbody to embrace it. As a result, the pelvis support member can achievethe pelvis supporting function more appropriately. Further, according toan embodiment of the conveyance seat of the present disclosure, thepelvis support member can be easily moved to change the inclinationangle of the pelvis support member. Further, according to an embodimentof the conveyance seat of the present disclosure, the second movablemechanism causes the end regions, in the width direction of theconveyance seat, of at least one of the support surfaces of the seatback side support portion and the seat cushion side support portion tomove inward in the width direction. This configuration allows the pelvissupport member to move (deform) to embrace the occupant's body (inparticular, the portion where the pelvis is positioned). Further,according to an embodiment of the conveyance seat of the presentdisclosure, the seat back side support portion and the movable mechanismcan be prevented from interfering with the backward displacement of thepressure receiving member when the backward load acts on the occupant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a state in which an occupant isseated on a conveyance seat according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view illustrating a seat back and a seatcushion with outer skins being removed;

FIG. 3 is a back view of the seat back with the outer skin beingremoved;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view illustrating the seat back and theseat cushion with the outer skins and a pelvis support member beingremoved;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the pelvis support member;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the pelvis support member;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a section A-A in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a section B-B in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustrating an adjustment device of the pelvissupport member;

FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating a state in which a seat back sidesupport portion of the pelvis support member is inclined forward;

FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating a state in which a seat cushion sidesupport portion of the pelvis support member rises;

FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating how an arrangement position of thepelvis support member changes, showing a state before changing;

FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating how the arrangement position of thepelvis support member changes, showing a state after changing;

FIG. 12A is a diagram illustrating a state in which a bending degree ofthe seat back side support portion changes;

FIG. 12B is a diagram illustrating a state in which a bending degree ofthe seat cushion side support portion changes;

FIG. 13 is a schematic side view illustrating how a pressure receivingmember and other components are displaced backward during a vehicle rearend collision;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a first modification in adjusting theinclination angle of the pelvis support member;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a second modification in adjusting theinclination angle of the pelvis support member;

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a seating device adjustmentunit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view illustrating the seat back and theseat cushion with the outer skins being removed;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating main operations in an ECU control;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating the ECU control in a first controlmode;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating the ECU control in a second controlmode;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating the ECU control in a third controlmode; and

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating the ECU control in a forcibleexhaustion mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION First Embodiment

Hereinafter, a conveyance seat according to an embodiment (the presentembodiment) of the present disclosure is described with reference to thedrawings. Note that the embodiment described below is described tofacilitate easy understanding of the present disclosure and is not to beinterpreted as limiting the present disclosure. That is, the presentdisclosure may be modified or improved without departing from the gistof the present disclosure and such equivalents are also included in thepresent disclosure.

Further, below, a seat equipped in a vehicle (a vehicle seat) is used asan example to describe the conveyance seat according to the presentembodiment. However, the present disclosure can be applied to theconveyance seats other than the vehicle seat, for example, seatsequipped in a ship and an airplane.

Note that, in the following description, a “front to back direction”signifies a front to back direction of the vehicle seat and correspondsto an advancing direction of the traveling vehicle. Further, a “seatwidth direction” signifies a width direction of the vehicle seat andcorresponds to a right and left direction viewed from an occupant seatedon the vehicle seat. Further, an “up and down direction” signifies an upand down direction of the vehicle seat and corresponds to a verticaldirection of the vehicle traveling on a horizontal surface.

Further, a shape, a position, and a posture of each portion of the seatdescribed below are, unless particularly stated otherwise, conditions ofthe vehicle seat in a normal state (an initial state of the vehicleseat, where each portion of the seat is at an initial position).

Further, below, the occupant in a standard body proportion isexemplified to describe a positional relation between each portion ofthe vehicle seat and a body of the occupant. Note that the “standardbody proportion” corresponds to a body proportion of a human body dummymade by modeling a male adult according to a Society of AutomotiveEngineers (SAE) standard.

Basic Configurations and Functions of Vehicle Seat According to PresentEmbodiment

First, basic configurations and functions of the vehicle seat(hereinafter, referred to as a vehicle seat S) according to the presentembodiment are described. The vehicle seat S is used as a driver seat, apassenger seat, or a back seat in the vehicle. Further, the vehicle seatS includes a seating portion Sh on which the occupant of the vehicle isseated. This seating portion Sh has a basic configuration in common witha seating portion of a conventional vehicle seat S.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the seating portion Sh includes a seatback S1, a seat cushion S2, and a headrest S3. Each of the seat back S1and the seat cushion S2 is configured such that a frame provided in itsinside supports a pad P and a surface of the pad P is covered with anouter skin. Note that, the outer skins forming the seat back S1 and theseat cushion S2 are preferably highly stretchable considering a movementof a pelvis support member 1 described below.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a pressure receiving member FP is attachedto the frame (a seat back frame F) of the seat back S1. This pressurereceiving member FP is formed from an elastic spring FP1 and a resinplate FP2 supported by the elastic spring FP1. The elastic spring FP1 isbridged between side frames FS arranged on both ends of the seat backframe F. The resin plate FP2, which is arranged in a central portion ofthe seat back frame F in a seat width direction, is hooked on theelastic spring FP1 to be supported by the elastic spring FP1. Further,the resin plate FP2 has a width and height suitable for receiving a loadacting backward (a backward load) from the back of the occupant seatedon the vehicle seat S.

The pressure receiving member FP is elastically deformed to be displacedbackward when the backward load acts on the pressure receiving member FPfrom the occupant, for example, during a vehicle rear end collision orthe like. Specifically, the resin plate FP2 is pressed backward by theback of the occupant and the elastic spring FP1 supporting the resinplate FP2 is elastically deformed to be bent backward. In accordancewith this deformation, the resin plate FP2 is also displaced backward.

Note that, in the present embodiment, the description is given to thepressure receiving member FP that is configured from the elastic springFP1 and the resin plate FP2, however, the present disclosure is notlimited thereto and the pressure receiving member FP may be formed onlyfrom the elastic spring FP1.

Further, the vehicle seat S according to the present embodiment includesa pelvis support member 1 in the seating portion Sh. As shown in FIG. 2,this pelvis support member 1 is a member of a sitting type and arrangedto extend from a lower portion of the seat back S1 to a rear portion ofthe seat cushion S2. That is, a portion of the pelvis support member 1(specifically, a seat back side support portion 10 and a connectionportion 30 described below) is arranged in the seat back S1 and the restof the pelvis support member 1 (specifically, a seat cushion sidesupport portion 20 described below) is arranged in the seat cushion S2.

Note that a hollowed-out space is provided for installing the pelvissupport member 1 in the pad P forming each of the seat back S1 and theseat cushion S2 at a portion where the pelvis support member 1 isarranged. The pad P having the pelvis support member 1 arranged in sucha space is covered with an outer skin forming each of the seat back S1and the seat cushion S2 along with the pelvis support member 1.

Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the pelvis support member 1 of a sitting typesupports a portion on an occupant's body where the pelvis is positioned(hereinafter referred to as a pelvis site) while the occupant is seatedon the vehicle seat S (more specifically, the seating portion Sh).Further, each portion of the pelvis support member 1 is movable, thus astate (more specifically, a shape of the pelvis support member 1) and anarrangement position of the pelvis support member 1 can be changed bymoving each portion of the pelvis support member 1.

Specifically, in the seat back S1 and the seat cushion S2, lumbarsupports 2, 3, 4, 5 are arranged on a back side (a side opposite to aside for supporting the occupant) of the pelvis support member 1 asshown in FIG. 4. These lumbar supports 2, 3, 4, 5 are movable mechanismsprovided for moving the pelvis support member 1 and are formed fromfreely expandable air bags. Each of the lumbar supports 2, 3, 4, 5presses the pelvis support member 1 from the back by expansion, and apressed portion of the pelvis support member 1 moves along a pressingdirection of each of the lumbar supports 2, 3, 4, 5. That is, thepressed portion of the pelvis support member 1 changes its position withrespect to the pelvis site. Conversely, when each of the lumbar supports2, 3, 4, 5 is contracted, the portion of the pelvis support member 1that has been pressed by each of the lumbar supports 2, 3, 4, 5 isreleased from a pressing force and returned to an original position.

When the position of the portion of the pelvis support member 1 pressedby each of the lumbar supports 2, 3, 4, 5 is changed with respect to thepelvis site as described above, the state and arrangement position ofthe pelvis support member 1 change. When the state and arrangementposition of the pelvis support member 1 change in this manner, a supportstate of the pelvis site (in other words, a constraint state of thepelvis site) by the pelvis support member 1 changes accordingly.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the support state of thepelvis site can be adjusted by moving the pelvis support member 1. Thatis, the vehicle seat S has a function of adjusting the support state ofthe pelvis site of the occupant as a seated person. Further, such afunction of the vehicle seat S is utilized to correct the pelvis of theoccupant (more specifically, the pelvis angle), correct a seatingposture of the occupant, or train a muscle located in the pelvis site(more specifically, an inner muscle) by applying a load to the muscle.

Configurations of Pelvis Support Member

Next, configurations of the pelvis support member 1 are described indetail. The pelvis support member 1 is a sitting type and formed in asubstantially L-like shape in a side view. The pelvis support member 1includes the seat back side support portion 10, the seat cushion sidesupport portion 20, and the connection portion 30 as shown in FIG. 5 andFIG. 6.

The seat back side support portion 10 forms an upper end portion of thepelvis support member 1 and is arranged in the seat back S1 when thepelvis support member 1 is installed to the seating portion Sh. Further,the seat back side support portion 10 is positioned behind a backportion of the occupant when the occupant is seated on the vehicle seatS. With regard to a shape of the seat back side support portion 10, theseat back side support portion 10 is formed in a wide trapezoidal shapein an elevation view and has a right and left symmetrical shape having aborder at a center of the pelvis support member 1 in the seat widthdirection as shown in FIG. 5. Further, the seat back side supportportion 10 is curved in a bow shape to be positioned forward towardsends in the seat width direction as shown in FIG. 7.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a notch 11 in an inverted triangular shapeextended downward from an upper end of the seat back side supportportion 10 is formed in a central portion of the seat back side supportportion 10 in the seat width direction. The seat back side supportportion 10 is divided into a portion positioned on one end side in theseat width direction (in FIG. 5, a left half portion of the seat backside support portion 10, hereinafter referred to as a first seat backside support portion 12) and a portion positioned on the other end sidein the seat width direction (in FIG. 5, a right half portion of the seatback side support portion 10, hereinafter referred to as a second seatback side support portion 13) by the notch 11 formed therebetween. Thefirst seat back side support portion 12 and the second seat back sidesupport portion 13 are separated from each other across the notch 11 andthus can move independently. That is, in the present embodiment, each ofthe first seat back side support portion 12 and the second seat backside support portion 13 can be moved individually.

The seat cushion side support portion 20 forms a lower end portion ofthe pelvis support member 1 and is arranged in the seat cushion S2 whenthe pelvis support member 1 is installed to the seating portion Sh.Further, the seat cushion side support portion 20 is positioned belowbuttocks of the occupant when the occupant is seated on the vehicle seatS. With regard to a shape of the seat cushion side support portion 20,the seat cushion side support portion 20 is slightly wider than the seatback side support portion 10 and has a right and left symmetrical shapehaving a border at the center of the pelvis support member 1 in the seatwidth direction as shown in FIG. 6.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a notch 21 in an inverted triangular shapeextended backward from a front end of the seat cushion side supportportion 20 is formed in a central portion of the seat cushion sidesupport portion 20 in the seat width direction. The seat cushion sidesupport portion 20 is divided into a portion positioned on one end sidein the seat width direction (in FIG. 6, a right half portion of the seatcushion side support portion 20, hereinafter referred to as a first seatcushion side support portion 22) and a portion positioned on the otherend side in the seat width direction (in FIG. 6, a left half portion ofthe seat cushion side support portion 20, hereinafter referred to as asecond seat cushion side support portion 23) by the notch 21 formedtherebetween. The first seat cushion side support portion 22 and thesecond seat cushion side support portion 23 are separated from eachother across the notch 21 and thus can move independently. That is, inthe present embodiment, each of the first seat cushion side supportportion 22 and the second seat cushion side support portion 23 can bemoved individually.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, each of the first seat cushion side supportportion 22 and the second seat cushion side support portion 23 is curvedin a bow-like shape to be positioned upward towards ends in the seatwidth direction.

The connection portion 30 is arranged directly under the seat back sidesupport portion 10 and connects a lower end of the seat back sidesupport portion 10 and a rear end of the seat cushion side supportportion 20. Note that the connection portion 30 is arranged in the seatback S1 when the pelvis support member 1 is installed to the seatingportion Sh. Further, the connection portion 30 is positioned behind theback portion of the occupant when the occupant is seated on the vehicleseat S.

With regard to a shape of the connection portion 30, the connectionportion 30 is formed in an inverted isosceles trapezoid shape becomingnarrower as advancing downward in an elevation view as shown in FIG. 5.Further, a width of the connection portion 30 (a length in the seatwidth direction) is shorter than a width of the seat back side supportportion 10 and is also shorter than a width of the seat cushion sidesupport portion 20. That is, the pelvis support member 1 is slightlynarrowed inward in the seat width direction at the position of theconnection portion 30.

Further, the connection portion 30 has a right and left symmetricalshape having a border at the center of the pelvis support member 1 inthe seat width direction and is curved in a bow shape to be positionedforward as progressing to ends in the seat width direction.

Configurations of each portion of the pelvis support member 1 are nowdescribed in more detail. As shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 8, each of the seatback side support portion 10, the seat cushion side support portion 20,and the connection portion 30 is formed from a base portion 1 x made ofa plate material and a cushion mat 1 y stuck on a surface of the baseportion 1 x.

Further, the base portions 1 x of the seat back side support portion 10,the seat cushion side support portion 20, and the connection portion 30are integrally formed by a common plate material. Further, a material ofthe plate material forming the base portion 1 x has moderateflexibility. Thus, when a load is applied to the pelvis support member1, the pelvis support member 1 is bent (elastically deformed) such thata portion where the load is applied is moved along a load applyingdirection.

Thus, when the seat back side support portion 10 is pushed forward, theseat back side support portion 10 lies down toward the seat cushion sidesupport portion 20, resulting in increasing an inclination angle of thepelvis support member 1. Similarly, when the seat cushion side supportportion 20 is pushed upward, the seat cushion side support portion 20rises toward the seat back side support portion 10, resulting inincreasing the inclination angle of the pelvis support member 1. Theterm “inclination angle” described herein refers to an inclination angleof the seat back side support portion 10 with respect to the seatcushion side support portion 20, and the expression “the inclinationangle being increased” means that the seat back side support portion 10comes closer to the seat cushion side support portion 20.

Note that, when one of the seat back side support portion 10 and theseat cushion side support portion 20 moves toward the other to changethe inclination angle of the pelvis support member 1, a lower end of theconnection portion 30 serves as an origin. That is, each of the seatback side support portion 10 and the seat cushion side support portion20 can rotate around an axis along the seat width direction with thelower end of the connection portion 30 as an origin.

The cushion mat 1 y is stuck (e.g., attached) on a surface of the baseportion 1 x on the same side as the occupant seated on the vehicle seatS and molded into a shape of appropriately fitting to the pelvis site ofthe occupant. Note that, in the present embodiment, the cushion mat 1 yis divided into a plurality of pieces and each piece is arranged at amutually separated position as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

Each of the seat back side support portion 10, the seat cushion sidesupport portion 20, and the connection portion 30 includes a supportsurface 1 a for supporting the occupant as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.This support surface 1 a is a surface positioned on the same side as theoccupant seated on the vehicle seat S, and specifically, a surface onwhich the cushion mat 1 y is stuck. To explain more clearly, surfaceslocated on a more front side between both surfaces of the seat back sidesupport portion 10 and the connection portion 30 correspond to thesupport surfaces 1 a. A surface located on an upper side between bothsurfaces of the seat cushion side support portion 20 corresponds to thesupport surface 1 a.

Further, each support surface 1 a is curved to fit to the pelvis site ofthe occupant. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the support surface 1 aof the seat back side support portion 10 is curved in a bow-like shapeto be positioned forward towards ends of the support surface 1 a in theseat width direction. Similarly, the support surface 1 a of theconnection portion 30 is curved in a bow-like shape to be positionedforward towards ends of the support surface 1 a in the seat widthdirection. Further, the support surface 1 a of the seat cushion sidesupport portion 20 is divided into a region positioned on one end sidein the seat width direction (that is, the support surface 1 a of thefirst seat cushion side support portion 22) and a region positioned onthe other end side (that is, the support surface 1 a of the second seatcushion side support portion 23). Then, each region is curved in abow-like shape to be positioned upward towards ends in the seat widthdirection as shown in FIG. 8.

Further, each support surface 1 a includes a protruding region 1 b and arecessed region 1 c as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. The protruding region1 b is a region of the support surface 1 a that is raised higher than aperipheral region (specifically, the recessed region 1 c) by a thicknessof the cushion mat 1 y by having the cushion mat 1 y stuck on it. Therecessed region 1 c is formed on the support surface 1 a in a portionwhere a surface of the base portion 1 x is exposed (corresponding to aportion of the support surface 1 a) and located at a position that isrecessed deeper than a peripheral region (specifically, the protrudingregion 1 b).

Note that a central region, in the seat width direction, of the supportsurface 1 a of the seat back side support portion 10 forms the recessedregion 1 c as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7.

Adjustment Devices of Pelvis Support Member

Next, a description is given of devices provided for adjusting thesupport state of the pelvis site by moving the pelvis support member 1.As shown in FIG. 9, the vehicle seat S has the lumbar supports 2, 3, 4,5, a pump 6 serving as an air supply source, and one or more airadjusting valves 7 as devices for moving the pelvis support member 1.Further, as shown in FIG. 9, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 60 isinstalled in a vehicle as a controller for controlling the pump 6 andthe air adjusting valve 7. Further, an angle sensor 8 and an airpressure sensor 9 are installed at specified locations in the vehicleseat S. Each device is described below.

The lumbar supports 2, 3, 4, 5, which are arranged on a back side of thepelvis support member 1, are expanded by air supplied from the pump 6and filled therein to press the pelvis support member 1. In this manner,at least one of the seat back side support portion 10 and the seatcushion side support portion 20 is moved, resulting in a change in aposition of that portion (the moved portion) with respect to the pelvissite.

In the present embodiment, four kinds of the lumbar supports 2, 3, 4, 5are provided. With regard to each of the lumbar supports 2, 3, 4, 5, afirst lumbar support (hereinafter referred to as a seat back side lumbarsupport 2) corresponds to a first movable mechanism and is arranged at arear position of the seat back side support portion 10 in the seat backS1. This seat back side lumbar support 2 presses the seat back sidesupport portion 10 from a back side to move the seat back side supportportion 10 such that the seat back side support portion 10 rotatesaround the axis along the seat width direction with the connectionportion 30 as an origin.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10A, the seat back side lumbar support 2is developed in a substantially fan-like shape in a side view duringexpansion. The seat back side lumbar support 2 expands such that adeveloping quantity (an expansion quantity or inflation amount)increases towards an upper end. Further, an upper end portion of theseat back side lumbar support 2 is opposed to an upper end portion of arear surface of the seat back side support portion 10. In thisconfiguration, when the seat back side lumbar support 2 expands to bedeveloped in a substantially fan-like shape, the upper end portion ofthe seat back side support portion 10 is pressed forward by the seatback side lumbar support 2. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10A, the seatback side support portion 10 is rotated forward (inclined forward)around the axis (represented by a symbol M in the figure) along the seatwidth direction with the connection portion 30 as an origin.

Note that the seat back side lumbar support 2 is fixed to a frontsurface of the resin plate FP2 of the pressure receiving member FPdescribed above with a screw or the like. Further, the upper portion ofthe rear surface of the seat back side support portion 10 is attached tothe seat back side lumbar support 2. That is, the seat back side supportportion 10 is fixed to the pressure receiving member FP via the seatback side lumbar support 2. In this configuration, when the backwardload acts on the pressure receiving member FP from the occupant seatedon the vehicle seat S by a vehicle rear end collision or the like and,consequently, the pressure receiving member FP is elastically deformedto be displaced backward, the seat back side lumbar support 2 and theseat back side support portion 10 are integrally moved backward alongwith the pressure receiving member FP as shown in FIG. 13.

A second lumbar support (hereinafter referred to as a seat cushion sidelumbar support 3) corresponds to the first movable mechanism and isarranged at a lower position of the seat cushion side support portion 20in the seat cushion S2. This seat cushion side lumbar support 3 pressesthe seat cushion side support portion 20 from a lower side to move theseat cushion side support portion 20 such that the seat cushion sidesupport portion 20 rotates around the axis along the seat widthdirection with the connection portion 30 as an origin.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10B, the seat cushion side lumbar support3 is developed in a substantially fan-like shape in a side view duringexpansion. The seat cushion side lumbar support 3 is expanded such thata developing quantity (an expansion quantity or inflation amount)increases towards a front end. Further, a front end portion of the seatcushion side lumbar support 3 is positioned directly under a front endportion of a lower surface of the seat cushion side support portion 20.In this configuration, when the seat cushion side lumbar support 3expands to be developed in a substantially fan-like shape, the front endportion of the seat cushion side support portion 20 is pressed upward bythe seat cushion side lumbar support 3. As a result, as shown in FIG.10B, the seat cushion side support portion 20 is rotated upward (rises)around the axis (represented by the symbol M in the figure) along theseat width direction with the connection portion 30 as an origin.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B, a rectangular supportplate 40 is provided below the seat cushion side support portion 20. Thesupport plate 40 of relatively large size supports the seat cushion sidesupport portion 20 over a relatively wide range. The seat cushion sidelumbar support 3 is then arranged below the support plate 40. Thus, theseat cushion side support portion 20 is pressed by the seat cushion sidelumbar support 3 via the support plate 40. In this configuration, theseat cushion side support portion 20 is pressed by the seat cushion sidelumbar support 3 via the support plate 40, thus making it possible toefficiently move the seat cushion side support portion 20.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the inclination angle ofthe pelvis support member 1 can be adjusted by changing the expansionquantity of the seat back side lumbar support 2 or the seat cushion sidelumbar support 3.

Further, the expansion quantities of the seat back side lumbar support 2and the seat cushion side lumbar support 3 can be simultaneouslyadjusted. For example, an adjustment can be made such that one of thelumbar supports is expanded by a specified expansion quantity and theother lumbar support is contracted by the same quantity. Expanding andcontracting each of the lumbar supports in this manner enables movementof the entire pelvis support member 1 without changing the inclinationangle as shown in FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B. Specifically, the entire pelvissupport member 1 is rotated in a front to back direction and a up anddown direction around a rotation fulcrum (represented by a symbol N inthe figures) positioned below the seat cushion side support portion 20.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the arrangement positionof the pelvis support member 1 in the vehicle seat S can be adjusted bysimultaneously changing the expansion quantities of the seat back sidelumbar support 2 and the seat cushion side lumbar support 3.

Third lumbar supports (hereinafter referred to as upper side lumbarsupports 4) correspond to a second movable mechanism, and each of thethird lumbar supports is arranged at a rear position of a side endportion (an end portion in the seat width direction) of the seat backside support portion 10 in the seat back S1. Further, in the presentembodiment, the upper side lumbar supports 4 are arranged at right andleft positions in a pair in a state of being separated from each otherin the seat width direction. In this configuration, each of the upperside lumbar supports 4 presses the side end portion of the seat backside support portion 10 from behind, so that the seat back side supportportion 10 is moved to increase a bending degree of the seat back sidesupport portion 10 in a bow-like shape.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12A, the upper side lumbar supports 4 aredeveloped in a substantially triangular shape in a top view duringexpansion. Each upper side lumbar support 4 expands such that adeveloping quantity (an expansion quantity) increases as progressingtoward an outside in the seat width direction. Further, outside endportions of the upper side lumbar supports 4 in the seat width directionare opposed to the side end regions of the rear surface of the seat backside support portion 10. In this configuration, when the upper sidelumbar supports 4 expand to be developed in a substantially triangularshape, the side end portions of the seat back side support portion 10are pressed toward an inside in the seat width direction. As a result,as shown in FIG. 12A, the seat back side support portion 10 is bentfurther to increase the bending degree. In other words, end regions ofthe support surface 1 a of the seat back side support portion 10 in theseat width direction are caused to move toward the inside in the seatwidth direction.

Note that, as described above, the seat back side support portion 10 isdivided into the first seat back side support portion 12 and the secondseat back side support portion 13 across the notch 11, so that each ofthe first seat back side support portion 12 and the second seat backside support portion 13 can be moved individually. Further, each of thefirst seat back side support portion 12 and the second seat back sidesupport portion 13 has one upper side lumbar support 4. Thus, each ofthe first seat back side support portion 12 and the second seat backside support portion 13 can be operated to move individually by theoperation of the corresponding upper side lumbar support 4. Morespecifically, the first seat back side support portion 12 or the secondseat back side support portion 13, whichever is closer to thecorresponding upper side lumbar support 4, is pressed at its side endportion from behind by the upper side lumbar support 4, so that the sideend portion is moved toward the inside in the seat width direction.

Fourth lumbar supports (hereinafter referred to as lower side lumbarsupports 5) correspond to the second movable mechanism, and each of thefourth lumbar supports is arranged at a lower position of a side endportion (an end portion in the seat width direction) of the seat cushionside support portion 20 in the seat cushion S2. Further, in the presentembodiment, the lower side lumbar supports 5 are arranged at right andleft positions in a pair in a state of being separated from each otherin the seat width direction. In this configuration, each of the lowerside lumbar supports 5 presses the side end portion of the seat cushionside support portion 20 from below, so that the seat cushion sidesupport portion 20 is moved to increase the bending degree of the seatcushion side support portion 20 in a bow-like shape.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12B, the lower side lumbar supports 5 aredeveloped in a substantially triangular shape in an elevation viewduring expansion. Each lower side lumbar supports 5 expands such that adeveloping quantity (an expansion quantity) increases towards theoutside in the seat width direction. Further, outside end portions ofthe lower side lumbar supports 5 in the seat width direction are opposedto side end regions of a lower surface of the seat cushion side supportportion 20. In this configuration, when the lower side lumbar supports 5expand to be developed in a substantially triangular shape, the side endportions of the seat cushion side support portion 20 are pressed towardthe inside in the seat width direction. As a result, as shown in FIG.12B, the seat cushion side support portion 20 is bent further toincrease the bending degree. In other words, end regions of the supportsurface 1 a of the seat cushion side support portion 20 in the seatwidth direction are caused to move toward the inside in the seat widthdirection.

Note that, as described above, the seat cushion side support portion 20is divided into the first seat cushion side support portion 22 and thesecond seat cushion side support portion 23 across the notch 21, so thateach of the first seat cushion side support portion 22 and the secondseat cushion side support portion 23 can be moved individually. Further,each of the first seat cushion side support portion 22 and the secondseat cushion side support portion 23 has one lower side lumbar support5. Thus, each of the first seat cushion side support portion 22 and thesecond seat cushion side support portion 23 can be operated to moveindividually by the operation of the corresponding lower side lumbarsupport 5. More specifically, the first seat cushion side supportportion 22 or the second seat cushion side support portion 23, whicheveris closer to the corresponding lower side lumbar support 5, is pressedat its side end portion from below by the lower side lumbar support 5,so that the side end portion is moved toward the inside in the seatwidth direction.

The adjustment devices of the pelvis support member 1 other than thelumbar supports are now described. The pump 6 and the air adjustingvalve 7 are devices operated for adjustment of the expansion quantitiesof the lumbar supports. The pump 6, which is formed from a pumpconfigured to suck and supply air, supplies air to the lumbar supports2, 3, 4, 5 and sucks air in the lumbar supports 2, 3, 4, 5. The airadjusting valve 7 is opened and closed for adjusting an air pressure ineach of the lumbar supports 2, 3, 4, 5 and provided in each lumbarsupport. In this configuration, each of the lumbar supports 2, 3, 4, 5can be individually adjusted. Note that each of the lumbar supports 2,3, 4, 5 is filled with some air in its inside and thus moderatelyexpanded in a normal state.

Further, the pump 6 and the air adjusting valve 7 may be arranged insidethe vehicle seat S (e.g., inside the seat back S1) or outside thevehicle seat S (e.g., a device housing space provided in a vehiclebody).

Further, the on-off status of the pump 6 and the opening of the airadjusting valve 7 are controlled by the ECU 60. More specifically, whenan operation switch 61 shown in FIG. 9 is operated by the occupant, theECU 60 controls the pump 6 and the air adjusting valve 7 by using theswitching operation as a trigger. Then, the control performed by the ECU60 causes a change in the expansion quantity of each lumbar support inaccordance with an operation position of the operation switch 61.Further, as a consequence of the expansion quantity change, theinclination angle and the position (the arrangement position) of thepelvis support member 1 or the bending degrees of the seat back sidesupport portion 10 and the seat cushion side support portion 20 areadjusted.

Further, when the ECU 60 adjusts the pump 6 and the air adjusting valve7, measurements are made by the angle sensor 8 and the air pressuresensor 9. The angle sensor 8 is a sensor that detects the inclinationangle, that is, an inclination angle, of one of the seat back sidesupport portion 10 and the seat cushion side support portion 20 withrespect to the other, and outputs a signal in accordance with theinclination angle. This angle sensor 8 uses a non-contact type knownsensor configured to detect the inclination angle.

The air pressure sensor 9 detects the air pressure in each of the lumbarsupports 2, 3, 4, 5 and outputs a signal in accordance with the airpressure. This air pressure sensor 9 uses a known sensor configured todetect the air pressures in the lumbar supports and is provided in eachlumbar support. Note that the air pressure detected by the air pressuresensor 9 changes in accordance with the expansion quantity of the lumbarsupport and a seating pressure applied when the occupant is seated onthe vehicle seat S.

The output signals from the angle sensor 8 and the air pressure sensor 9are transmitted to the ECU 60. Then, the ECU 60 analyzes the receivedsignals and controls the pump 6 and the air adjusting valve 7 inaccordance with the analysis result and the operation position of theoperation switch 61.

In the present embodiment, the angle sensor 8 is installed in aspecified position in the pelvis support member 1. More specifically,each of the seat back side support portion 10 and the seat cushion sidesupport portion 20 has one angle sensor 8.

Specifically, the seat back side support portion 10 includes the anglesensor 8 that senses the inclination angle of the seat back side supportportion 10 with respect to the seat cushion side support portion 20.With regard to an installation location of this angle sensor 8, as shownin FIG. 5 and other figures, the angle sensor 8 provided in the seatback side support portion 10 is installed to the support surface 1 a ofthe seat back side support portion 10, specifically, a central region ofthe support surface 1 a in the seat width direction. The central regionof the support surface 1 a described herein is located at a positionopposed to a waist bent portion of the spinous process (a part of theback portion slightly curved forward) in the body of the occupant seatedon the vehicle seat S. The angle sensor 8 installed in such a positiononly slightly touches the back of the occupant, thus the occupant rarelyfeels a foreign-body sensation caused by the contact with the anglesensor 8.

The central region of the support surface 1 a of the seat back sidesupport portion 10 is now further described. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG.7, most of the central region including the portion where the anglesensor 8 is installed forms the recessed region 1 c. That is, the anglesensor 8 is installed in a region of the support surface 1 a of the seatback side support portion 10, which is more rearwardly recessed. Theangle sensor 8 in such a location only slightly touches the back of theoccupant and, as a result, the occupant further rarely feels aforeign-body sensation caused by the contact with the angle sensor 8.

On the other hand, the seat cushion side support portion 20 includes theangle sensor 8 that senses the inclination angle of the seat cushionside support portion 20 with respect to the seat back side supportportion 10. This angle sensor 8 is installed to a central portion of theseat cushion side support portion 20 in the seat width direction (e.g.,a central region of a backside surface of the seat cushion side supportportion 20 in the seat width direction).

Modifications in Adjusting Inclination Angle of Pelvis Support Member

In the embodiment describe above, 2 lumbar supports (specifically, theseat back side lumbar support 2 and the seat cushion side lumbar support3) are used as a mechanism for adjusting the inclination angle of thepelvis support member 1. More specifically, in the above embodiment,each of the seat back side support portion 10 and the seat cushion sidesupport portion 20 has one lumbar support (more specifically, the lumbarsupport for changing the inclination angle). That is, in the aboveembodiment, when the seat back side support portion 10 is pressed by theseat back side lumbar support 2, the entire seat back side supportportion 10 moves forward as a whole. Similarly, when the seat cushionside support portion 20 is pressed by the seat cushion side lumbarsupport 3, the entire seat cushion side support portion 20 moves upwardas a whole.

Each of the seat back side support portion 10 and the seat cushion sidesupport portion 20 is divided into two portions arranged side by sideacross the notches 11 and 21, respectively, and each portion isconfigured to be individually movable. Regarding this point, as amodification of the present embodiment, there may be a case where eachof the first seat back side support portion 12 and the second seat backside support portion 13 includes one seat back side lumbar support 2 ata rear position thereof (hereinafter referred to as a firstmodification). Similarly, there may be a case where each of the firstseat cushion side support portion 22 and the second seat cushion sidesupport portion 23 includes one seat cushion side lumbar support 3 at alower position thereof (hereinafter referred to as a secondmodification).

In the first modification, each of the first seat back side supportportion 12 and the second seat back side support portion 13 includes oneseat back side lumbar support 2. Thus, each of the seat back side lumbarsupports 2 can be individually moved. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14,it becomes possible to independently move the first seat back sidesupport portion 12 and the second seat back side support portion 13,more specifically, it becomes possible to independently rotate themaround the axis along the seat width direction with the connectionportion 30 as an origin.

In the second modification, each of the first seat cushion side supportportion 22 and the second seat cushion side support portion 23 includesone seat cushion side lumbar support 3. Thus, each of the seat cushionside lumbar supports 3 can be individually moved. As a result, as shownin FIG. 15, it becomes possible to independently move the first seatcushion side support portion 22 and the second seat cushion side supportportion 23, more specifically, it becomes possible to independentlyrotate them around the axis along the seat width direction with theconnection portion 30 as an origin.

Other Embodiments

Hitherto, as an embodiment of the present disclosure, the configurationsof the vehicle seat S in which the pelvis support member 1 is installedhave been described. However, the embodiment of the present disclosureis not limited to the above configurations and other configurations maybe also used.

Specifically, in the above embodiment, the lumbar support (an air bag)that is freely expandable by the inflow and outflow of air is used asthe movable mechanism. However, the present disclosure is not limitedthereto and other movable mechanisms (specifically, a mechanism in whicheach portion of the pelvis support member 1 is moved by the traction ofa wire or a mechanism in which each portion of the pelvis support member1 is moved using a retractably movable rod) may be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, the seat back side support portion 10and the seat cushion side support portion 20 are directly pressed tomove the pelvis support member 1. However, the present disclosure is notlimited thereto and the seat back side support portion 10 and the seatcushion side support portion 20 may be indirectly moved by moving theconnection portion 30 in the pelvis support member 1.

Further, in the above embodiment, the seat back side support portion 10and the seat cushion side support portion 20 are rotated around the axisalong the seat width direction to move the pelvis support member 1.However, the directions in which the seat back side support portion 10and the seat cushion side support portion 20 are moved are notparticularly limited, and the seat back side support portion 10 and theseat cushion side support portion 20 may be moved linearly in a front toback direction or a up and down direction.

Second Embodiment

Hereinafter, configuration examples and operation examples of anembodiment (the present embodiment) of the present disclosure aredescribed. Below, the embodiment is described by exemplarily presentinga case where a seating device adjustment unit of the present disclosureis installed in a vehicle. That is, in the embodiment described below,the seating device is represented by a vehicle seat and the seatingdevice adjustment unit is provided for the purpose of adjusting thevehicle seat.

Note that the seating device adjustment unit of the present disclosureis not limited to a case where the seating device adjustment unit isinstalled in a vehicle, and it may be installed in a conveyance otherthan the vehicle (e.g., an airplane and a ship) and used to adjust aseat arranged in the conveyance.

Further, in the following description, a “front to back direction”signifies a front to back direction viewed from an occupant seated onthe vehicle seat and corresponds to an advancing direction of thevehicle. Further, a “seat width direction” corresponds to a widthdirection of the seating device and signifies a right and left directionviewed from the occupant seated on the vehicle seat. Further, an “up anddown direction” signifies an up and down direction viewed from theoccupant seated on the vehicle seat and corresponds to a verticaldirection of the vehicle traveling on a horizontal surface.

Outline of Seating Device Adjustment Unit According to PresentEmbodiment

First, an outline of the seating device adjustment unit according to thepresent embodiment (hereinafter, simply referred to as a seating deviceadjustment unit 100) is described. The seating device adjustment unit100 is installed in the vehicle and used for the purpose of correcting aposture of the occupant in a period of time during which the occupant ofthe vehicle is seated on the vehicle seat S (hereinafter referred to asa seating period). More specifically, the seating device adjustment unit100 changes a state of a portion of the vehicle seat S (specifically, apelvis support member 1 described below) during the seating period,thereby displacing a portion in an occupant's body where the pelvis ispositioned (hereinafter referred to as a pelvis site). Displacing thepelvis site in this manner can correct a seating posture of theoccupant, more specifically, adjust a pelvis angle (an inclination angleof the pelvis in a front to back direction) of the occupant.

With regard to an adjustment function of the seating device adjustmentunit 100, in the present embodiment, adjustments can be made in threedifferent ways. A first adjustment adjusts a seat state to correct thepelvis angle of the occupant to an angle suitable for the occupant. Asecond adjustment adjusts the seat state to correct the pelvis angle ofthe occupant to an “ideal” angle. A third adjustment adjusts the seatstate to swing the pelvis site for the purpose of training a musclelocated in the pelvis site of the occupant.

The occupant selects one among the three kinds of the adjustmentsdescribed above and receives the adjustment of selected content duringthe seating period. Note that, in the present embodiment, the seatingdevice adjustment unit 100 is used to adjust the state of the seatcorresponding to a driver seat among the vehicle seats S. However, thepresent disclosure is not limited thereto and the seating deviceadjustment unit 100 may be used for the purpose of adjusting the stateof the vehicle seats S other than the driver seat (e.g., a passengerseat or a back seat).

Configuration Examples of Seating Device Adjustment Unit

Next, configuration examples of the seating device adjustment unit 100are described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 16. As shown in FIG. 1,the seating device adjustment unit 100 includes the vehicle seat S asthe seating device and the pelvis support member 1 installed in thevehicle seat S. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the seating deviceadjustment unit 100 includes a movable mechanism 50 configured to movethe pelvis support member 1. Further, the seating device adjustment unit100 includes a kneading unit 80 for effectively performing the secondadjustment described above. Further, the seating device adjustment unit100 includes the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 60, which is a deviceconfigured to control the movable mechanism 50, and various sensors thattransmit signals to the ECU 60. Below, each component device of theseating device adjustment unit 100 is described.

Vehicle Seat

The vehicle seat S has a similar structure as a common vehicle seat Sbut also includes the pelvis support member 1 in its inside. That is, asshown in FIG. 1, the vehicle seat S includes the seat back S1, the seatcushion S2, and the headrest S3. The seat back S1, the seat cushion S2,and the headrest S3 form the seating portion Sh, which is a main portionof the vehicle seat S. Each of the seat back S1 and the seat cushion S2has the frame in its inside and is formed by supporting the pad P by theframe and covering the surface of the pad P with the outer skin. Notethat the outer skins forming the seat back S1 and the seat cushion S2are preferably highly stretchable considering the movement of the pelvissupport member 1.

Pelvis Support Member

The pelvis support member 1 is a resin molded article molded as asitting type. The pelvis support member 1 is arranged in the vehicleseat S, specifically the pelvis support member 1 is arranged to extendfrom the lower portion of the seat back S1 to the rear portion of theseat cushion S2. That is, a portion of the pelvis support member 1 isarranged in the seat back S1 and the rest of the pelvis support member 1is arranged in the seat cushion S2 as shown in FIG. 1.

Note that, as is evident from FIG. 17 and FIG. 4, a hollowed-out spaceis provided for installing the pelvis support member 1 in the pad Pforming the seat back S1 and the seat cushion S2 at a portion where thepelvis support member 1 is arranged. The pad P having the pelvis supportmember 1 arranged in such a space is covered with the outer skin formingthe seat back S1 and the seat cushion S2 along with the pelvis supportmember 1.

Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the pelvis support member 1 of a sitting typesupports the pelvis site of the occupant's body during the seatingperiod. Further, each portion of the pelvis support member 1 is movable.Thus, the shape and the arrangement position of the pelvis supportmember 1 change as each portion of the pelvis support member 1 is moved.More specifically, the inclination angle of the pelvis support member 1(an angle represented by a symbol a in FIG. 16) and a displacementamount of the pelvis support member 1 from an initial position (adisplacement amount of an angle represented by a symbol (3 in FIG. 16)change. The seat state (in particular, the state of the seat around thepelvis site of the occupant) can be adjusted by changing the shape andthe arrangement position of the pelvis support member 1 in a mannerdescribed above.

Below, a detailed structure of the pelvis support member 1 is describedwith reference to FIG. 17 and FIG. 4 to FIG. 8. The pelvis supportmember 1 of a sitting type is formed in a substantially L-like shape ina side view. Further, the pelvis support member 1 includes the seat backside support portion 10, the seat cushion side support portion 20, andthe connection portion 30 as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

The seat back side support portion 10 forms the upper end portion of thepelvis support member 1 and is arranged in the seat back S1 when thepelvis support member 1 is installed to the seating portion Sh of thevehicle seat S. That is, the seat back side support portion 10 ispositioned behind the back portion of the occupant during the seatingperiod. With regard to the shape of the seat back side support portion10, as shown in FIG. 5, the seat back side support portion 10 is formedin a wide trapezoidal shape in an elevation view and has a right andleft symmetrical shape having a border at the center of the pelvissupport member 1 in the seat width direction. Further, as shown in FIG.7, the seat back side support portion 10 is curved in a bow-like shapeto be positioned forward towards the ends in the seat width direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the notch 11, in an inverted triangularshape extended downward from the upper end of the seat back side supportportion 10, is formed in the central portion of the seat back sidesupport portion 10 in the seat width direction. The seat back sidesupport portion 10 is divided into the portion positioned on one endside in the seat width direction (in FIG. 5, the left half portion ofthe seat back side support portion 10, hereinafter referred to as thefirst seat back side support portion 12) and the portion positioned onthe other end side in the seat width direction (in FIG. 5, the righthalf portion of the seat back side support portion 10, hereinafterreferred to as the second seat back side support portion 13) by thenotch 11 formed therebetween.

The seat cushion side support portion 20 forms the lower end portion ofthe pelvis support member 1 and is arranged in the seat cushion S2 whenthe pelvis support member 1 is installed to the seating portion Sh ofthe vehicle seat S. That is, the seat cushion side support portion 20 ispositioned below the buttocks of the occupant during the seating period.With regard to the shape of the seat cushion side support portion 20, asshown in FIG. 6, the seat cushion side support portion 20 is slightlywider than the seat back side support portion 10 and has a right andleft symmetrical shape having a border at the center of the pelvissupport member 1 in the seat width direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the notch 21, in an inverted triangularshape extended backward from the front end of the seat cushion sidesupport portion 20, is formed in the central portion of the seat cushionside support portion 20 in the seat width direction. Thereby, the seatcushion side support portion 20 is divided into the portion positionedon one end side in the seat width direction (in FIG. 6, the right halfportion of the seat cushion side support portion 20, hereinafterreferred to as the first seat cushion side support portion 22) and theportion positioned on the other end side in the seat width direction (inFIG. 6, the left half portion of the seat cushion side support portion20, hereinafter referred to as the second seat cushion side supportportion 23) by the notch 21 formed therebetween.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, each of the first seat cushion side supportportion 22 and the second seat cushion side support portion 23 is curvedin a bow-like shape to be positioned upward towards the ends in the seatwidth direction.

The connection portion 30 is arranged directly under the seat back sidesupport portion 10 and connects the lower end of the seat back sidesupport portion 10 and the rear end of the seat cushion side supportportion 20. Note that the connection portion 30 is arranged in the seatback S1 when the pelvis support member 1 is installed to the seatingportion Sh of the vehicle seat S. That is, the connection portion 30 ispositioned behind the back portion of the occupant during the seatingperiod.

With regard to the shape of the connection portion 30, as shown in FIG.5, the connection portion 30 is formed in an inverted isoscelestrapezoid shape becoming narrower as advancing downward in an elevationview. Further, the width of the connection portion 30 (the length in theseat width direction) is shorter than the width of the seat back sidesupport portion 10 and is also shorter than the width of the seatcushion side support portion 20. That is, the pelvis support member 1 isslightly narrowed inwardly in the seat width direction in the positionof the connection portion 30.

Further, the connection portion 30 has a right and left symmetricalshape having a border at the center of the pelvis support member 1 inthe seat width direction and is curved in a bow-like shape to bepositioned forward towards the ends in the seat width direction.

Note that the seat back side support portion 10, the seat cushion sidesupport portion 20, and the connection portion 30 each includes the baseportion 1 x made of the plate material. The material of the platematerial forming the base portion 1 x has moderate flexibility. Thus,when a load is applied to the pelvis support member 1, the pelvissupport member 1 is bent (elastically deformed) to be moved along a loadapplying direction at a portion where the load is applied.

Thus, when the seat back side support portion 10 is pressed forward, theseat back side support portion 10 lies down (is inclined forward) towardthe seat cushion side support portion 20. Then, the inclination angle ofthe seat back side support portion 10 with respect to the seat cushionside support portion 20 increases (in other words, the inclination angleof the pelvis support member 1 increases) as the seat back side supportportion 10 is inclined forward. The expression “the inclination anglebeing increased” described herein means that the seat back side supportportion 10 comes closer to the seat cushion side support portion 20 andthe angle a shown in FIG. 16 becomes smaller.

Similarly, when the seat cushion side support portion 20 is pressedupward, the seat cushion side support portion 20 rises toward the seatback side support portion 10 (that is, the front end of the cushion sidesupport portion 20 moves upward). Then, the inclination angle of theseat cushion side support portion 20 with respect to the seat back sidesupport portion 10 increases (in other words, the inclination angle ofthe pelvis support member 1 increases) as the seat cushion side supportportion 20 rises.

Note that, when one of the seat back side support portion 10 and theseat cushion side support portion 20 moves toward the other to changethe inclination angle of the pelvis support member 1, the lower end ofthe connection portion 30 serves as an origin. That is, each of the seatback side support portion 10 and the seat cushion side support portion20 can rotate around the axis along the seat width direction with thelower end of the connection portion 30 as an origin.

The configurations of the seat back side support portion 10, the seatcushion side support portion 20, and the connection portion 30 is nowfurther described. The pelvis-shaped cushion mat 1 y is stuck on thesurface of the base portion 1 x each included in the seat back sidesupport portion 10, the seat cushion side support portion 20, and theconnection portion 30. The cushion mat 1 y is stuck on the surface ofthe base portion 1 x on a side opposed to the occupant seated on thevehicle seat S and formed into a shape of appropriately fitting to thepelvis site of the occupant. Note that, in the present embodiment, aplurality of the cushion mats 1 y are arranged at mutually separatedpositions.

Movable Mechanism

The movable mechanism 50 is provided for moving the pelvis supportmember 1 to change the inclination angle of the pelvis support member 1(in other words, the inclination angle of the seat back side supportportion 10 or the seat cushion side support portion 20). As shown inFIG. 16, the movable mechanism 50 according the present embodimentincludes the lumbar supports 2, 3, the pump 6, and the air adjustingvalve 7.

The lumbar supports 2, 3, which are configured from the air bag, areexpanded by filling air into them and contracted by discharging air fromthem. Further, the lumbar supports 2, 3 are, as is evident from FIG. 17and FIG. 4, arranged on the back side (the side opposite to the side forsupporting the occupant) of the pelvis support member 1 in the seat backS1 and the seat cushion S2. Then, each of the lumbar supports 2, 3presses the pelvis support member 1 from the back by expansion. In thismanner, a portion of the pelvis support member 1 pressed by each of thelumbar supports 2, 3 moves along a pressing direction. Conversely, wheneach of the lumbar supports 2, 3 is contracted, the portion of thepelvis support member 1 that has been pressed by each of the lumbarsupports 2, 3 is released from the pressing force and returns to anoriginal position.

The lumbar supports 2, 3 is described in detail. In the presentembodiment, a plurality of the lumbar supports 2, 3 are provided. Afirst lumbar support 2 (hereinafter referred to as the seat back sidelumbar support 2) is arranged behind the seat back side support portion10 in the seat back S1. This seat back side lumbar support 2 presses theseat back side support portion 10 from behind to move the seat back sidesupport portion 10 such that the seat back side support portion 10rotates around the axis along the seat width direction with theconnection portion 30 as an origin.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10A, the seat back side lumbar support 2is developed in a substantially fan-like shape in a side view duringexpansion. The seat back side lumbar support 2 expands such that thedeveloping quantity (the expansion quantity) increases towards the upperend. Further, the upper end portion of the seat back side lumbar support2 is opposed to the upper end portion of the rear surface of the seatback side support portion 10. In this configuration, when the seat backside lumbar support 2 expands to be developed in a substantiallyfan-like shape, the upper end portion of the seat back side supportportion 10 is pressed forward by the seat back side lumbar support 2. Inthis manner, as shown in FIG. 10A, the seat back side support portion 10is rotated forward (inclined forward) around the axis (represented bythe symbol M in the figure) along the seat width direction with theconnection portion 30 as an origin. As a result, the inclination angleof the seat back side support portion 10 with respect to the seatcushion side support portion 20 changes.

A second lumbar support 3 (hereinafter referred to as the seat cushionside lumbar support 3) is arranged at the lower position of the seatcushion side support portion 20 in the seat cushion S2. This seatcushion side lumbar support 3 presses the seat cushion side supportportion 20 from the lower side to move the seat cushion side supportportion 20 such that the seat cushion side support portion 20 rotatesaround the axis along the seat width direction with the connectionportion 30 as an origin.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10B, the seat cushion side lumbar support3 is developed in a substantially fan-like shape in a side view duringexpansion. The seat cushion side lumbar support 3 expands such that thedeveloping quantity (the expansion quantity) increases towards the frontend. Further, the front end portion of the seat cushion side lumbarsupport 3 is positioned directly under the front end portion of thelower surface of the seat cushion side support portion 20. In thisconfiguration, when the seat cushion side lumbar support 3 expands to bedeveloped in a substantially fan-like shape, the front end portion ofthe seat cushion side support portion 20 is pressed upward by the seatcushion side lumbar support 3. In this manner, as shown in FIG. 10B, theseat cushion side support portion 20 is rotated upward (rises) aroundthe axis (represented by the symbol M in the figure) along the seatwidth direction with the connection portion 30 as an origin. As aresult, the inclination angle of the seat cushion side support portion20 with respect to the seat back side support portion 10 changes.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 4, the rectangular support plate 40 isarranged below the seat cushion side support portion 20. This supportplate 40 of relatively large size supports the seat cushion side supportportion 20 over a relatively wide range. Then, the seat cushion sidelumbar support 3 is arranged below the support plate 40. Thus, the seatcushion side support portion 20 is pressed by the seat cushion sidelumbar support 3 via the support plate 40. In this configuration, theseat cushion side support portion 20 is pressed by the seat cushion sidelumbar support 3 via the support plate 40, thus making it possible toefficiently move the seat cushion side support portion 20.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the inclination angles ofthe seat back side support portion 10 and the seat cushion side supportportion 20 (that is, the inclination angle of the pelvis support member1) can be adjusted by changing filling amounts of air in the seat backside lumbar support 2 and the seat cushion side lumbar support 3.

The pump 6 and the air adjusting valve 7 are devices configured toadjust the expansion quantities of the lumbar supports. The pump 6,which is configured as a pump configured to suck and supply air,supplies air to the lumbar supports 2, 3 and sucks air in the lumbarsupports 2, 3. Note that, as shown in FIG. 16, two kinds of pumps areused in the present embodiment. One of the pumps (hereinafter referredto as a first pump 6A) is configured to suck and supply air, while theother pump (hereinafter referred to as a second pump 6B) is onlyconfigured to supply air. However, the present disclosure is not limitedthereto and only the pump configured to suck and supply air may be used.

The air adjusting valve 7 is opened and closed for adjusting an airpressure in each of the lumbar supports 2, 3. Note that, as shown inFIG. 16, five air adjusting valves 7 are used in the present embodiment.A first air adjusting valve 7 (hereinafter referred to as a first inflowvalve 7A) is the air adjusting valve 7 that is opened for supplying airto the seat back side lumbar support 2. A second air adjusting valve 7(hereinafter referred to as a second inflow valve 7B) is the airadjusting valve 7 that is opened for supplying air to the seat cushionside lumbar support 3. A third air adjusting valve 7 (hereinafterreferred to as a first suction valve 7C) is the air adjusting valve 7that is opened for sucking air in the seat back side lumbar support 2. Afourth air adjusting valve 7 (hereinafter referred to as a secondsuction valve 7D) is the air adjusting valve 7 that is opened forsucking air in the seat cushion side lumbar support 3. A fifth airadjusting valve 7 is an exhaust valve 7E provided for exhausting the airsucked from the seat back side lumbar support 2 and the seat cushionside lumbar support 3.

In this configuration, the expansion quantities of the seat back sidelumbar support 2 and the seat cushion side lumbar support 3 can beindividually adjusted by switching the opening and closing of the above5 air adjusting valves 7 accordingly. For example, the seat back sidelumbar support 2 can be expanded by supplying air from the pump 6 in astate in which the first inflow valve 7A is opened and the rest of theair adjusting valves 7 are closed.

Further, the expansion quantities of the seat back side lumbar support 2and the seat cushion side lumbar support 3 can be simultaneouslyadjusted by adjusting the operation of the pump 6 and the opening andclosing of the air adjusting valves 7. For example, the second inflowvalve 7B is opened to supply air to the seat cushion side lumbar support3 from the second pump 6B, while the first suction valve 7C is opened tosuck air in the seat back side lumbar support 2 by the first pump 6A.This operation allows an increased expansion quantity of the seat backside lumbar support 2 and, in the same time, decreased expansionquantity of the seat cushion side lumbar support 3.

Further, simultaneously adjusting the expansion quantities of the lumbarsupports 2, 3, for example, allows the pelvis support member 1 to swingwithout changing the inclination angle of the pelvis support member 1.Specifically, the expansion quantity of one of the seat back side lumbarsupport 2 and the seat cushion side lumbar support 3 is increased and,in the same time, the expansion quantity of the other is decreased bythe same quantity. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B, thepelvis support member 1 is caused to swing around the axis (representedby the symbol N in the figures) while the inclination angle is keptconstant. The axis described herein serves as a swinging fulcrum of thepelvis support member 1 along the seat width direction and is positionedbelow the seat cushion side support portion 20.

The kneading unit 80 performs a kneading operation prior to adjustmentof the pelvis support member 1 in the case where a second control modedescribed below is selected. The kneading operation is an operationperformed for loosening a muscle of the occupant when the pelvis angleof the occupant is corrected to the ideal angle. The kneading unit 80 isconfigured from three pairs of right and left air cells (hereinafterreferred to as kneading air cells 81) arranged at three places of theseating portion Sh over a region that supports from the waist to thefemoral regions of the occupant, that is, a total of six kneading aircells 81. Each of the kneading air cells 81 is expanded by filling airinside the air cell and contracted by exhausting the filled air to theoutside. Filling and exhausting air to/from the kneading air cells 81are achieved by the above-mentioned pumps 6 and air adjusting valves 7.Note that, in FIG. 16, the kneading air cells 81 and suction lines tothe kneading air cells 81 are omitted.

With regard to arrangement positions of the kneading air cells 81, firstkneading air cells 81 are arranged at positions corresponding to sitesof the gluteus maximus in the back portion of the occupant.Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, each of the first kneading air cells81 is stuck and fixed to both end portions in the seat width directionof a lower region of the cushion mat 1 y that is arranged in the seatback side support portion 10 of the pelvis support member 1.

Second kneading air cells 81 are arranged at positions opposed topositions corresponding to sites of the lower femoral regions in theback portion of the occupant. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, each ofthe second kneading air cells 81 is stuck and fixed to both end portionsin the seat width direction of a front region of the cushion mat 1 ythat is arranged in the seat cushion side support portion 20 of thepelvis support member 1. Third kneading air cells 81 are arranged atpositions opposed to positions corresponding to sites below the knees inthe back portion of the occupant. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17,each of the third kneading air cells 81 is stuck and fixed to both endportions in the seat width direction of a front end portion of the pad Pforming the seat cushion S2. Note that the number and arrangementpositions of the kneading air cells 81 described above are employed byway of example only, and different contents from the above may be used.

Various Sensors

The vehicle seat S has various sensors for measuring the seat stateduring the seating period. In the present embodiment, the angle sensor8, the air pressure sensor 9, and a weight sensor 70 are provided.

The angle sensor 8 is a sensor that measures the inclination angle, thatis, the inclination angle, of each of the seat back side support portion10 and the seat cushion side support portion 20 during the seatingperiod. This angle sensor 8 uses a non-contact type known sensorconfigured to detect the inclination angle. The inclination angledescribed herein represents a displacement amount expressed by an angleobtained when each of the seat back side support portion 10 and the seatcushion side support portion 20 is displaced from a correspondinginitial position. Then, the angle sensor 8 outputs a signal inaccordance with a measurement result of the inclination angle to the ECU60.

Note that, in the present embodiment, one angle sensor 8 is installed toeach of the seat back side support portion 10 and the seat cushion sidesupport portion 20. The angle sensor 8 installed to the seat back sidesupport portion 10 measures the inclination angle of the seat back sidesupport portion 10 with respect to the seat cushion side support portion20 during the seating period. Further, the angle sensor 8 installed tothe seat cushion side support portion 20 measures the inclination angleof the seat cushion side support portion 20 with respect to the seatback side support portion 10 during the seating period. Note that onlyone of the two angle sensors 8 described above may be installed.

The air pressure sensor 9 measures air pressures inside of the seat backside lumbar support 2 and the seat cushion side lumbar support 3. Thisair pressure sensor 9 uses a known sensor configured to detect the airpressure in the lumbar support and is provided in each lumbar support.Then, the air pressure sensor 9 outputs a signal in accordance with ameasurement result of the air pressure to the ECU 60. Note that the airpressure changes in accordance with an air quantity filled in eachlumbar support (in other words, the expansion quantity or inflationamount) and a seating pressure applied when the occupant is seated onthe vehicle seat S.

The weight sensor 70 measures a variation of the weight of the vehicleseat S caused when the occupant is seated on the vehicle seat S, inother words, the weight of the occupant. This weight sensor 70 uses aknown weight sensor for a seat and is installed in a lower position ofthe seat cushion S2. Then, the weight sensor 70 outputs a signal inaccordance with a measurement result of the weight of the occupant tothe ECU 60.

ECU

The ECU 60 forms a control portion that controls the movable mechanism50 and controls the start and stop of the pump 6 and the opening andclosing of the air adjusting valve 7 during the seating period. Further,the ECU 60 receives the output signals from the various sensorsdescribed above and controls the movable mechanism 50 in accordance withthe measurement results of the sensors indicated by the receivedsignals.

Control modes in which the ECU 60 controls the movable mechanism 50 isdescribed. In the present embodiment, four kinds of the control modesare prepared. The occupant selects one mode from the four kinds of thecontrol modes using the operation switch 61. Then, the ECU 60 controlsthe movable mechanism 50 in accordance with the one mode selected fromthe four kinds of the control modes.

With regard to four kinds of the control modes, a first control mode, asecond control mode, a third control mode, and a forcible exhaustionmode are offered. Each mode is described below.

The first control mode is a mode for adjusting the inclination angle ofthe pelvis support member 1 to correct the pelvis angle of the occupantto an angle suitable for the occupant. Specifically, the ECU 60 stores,for each occupant, a pre-registered setting value (hereinafter referredto as a first setting value) that is set to each of a plurality of theoccupants. This first setting value is a value set as a favorableinclination angle of the pelvis support member 1 for the occupant whocontinues to sit on the vehicle seat S.

Then, when the ECU 60 controls the movable mechanism 50 in accordancewith the first control mode, the ECU 60 reads out the first settingvalue corresponding to the occupant seated on the vehicle seat S. Afterthat, the ECU 60 controls the movable mechanism 50 so that theinclination angle of the pelvis support member 1 (in other words, theinclination angles of the seat back side support portion 10 and the seatcushion side support portion 20) becomes the first setting value that isread out.

The second control mode is a mode for adjusting the inclination angle ofthe pelvis support member 1 to correct the pelvis angle of the occupantto an “ideal” angle. Specifically, the ECU 60 stores, for each occupant,a pre-registered setting value (hereinafter referred to as a secondsetting value) that is set to each of a plurality of the occupants. Thissecond setting value is a value set as a favorable inclination angle ofthe pelvis support member 1 for correcting the pelvis angle of theoccupant to the ideal angle.

Then, when the ECU 60 controls the movable mechanism 50 in accordancewith the second control mode, the ECU 60 reads out the second settingvalue corresponding to the occupant seated on the vehicle seat S. Afterthat, the ECU 60 controls the movable mechanism 50 so that theinclination angle of the pelvis support member 1 (in other words, theinclination angles of the seat back side support portion 10 and the seatcushion side support portion 20) becomes the second setting value thatis read out.

As described above, the first control mode and the second control modeare common in controlling the movable mechanism 50 such that theinclination angle of the pelvis support member 1 becomes the settingvalue corresponding to the occupant seated on the vehicle seat S. On theother hand, the first setting value and the second setting value set forthe same occupant are different from each other. For example, the secondsetting value is set such that the variation of the inclination angle islarger than that of the first setting value.

Note that, when the second control mode is selected, ECU 60 controls thepump 6 and the air adjusting valves 7 of the movable mechanism 50 toexpand and contract the kneading air cells 81 that form the kneadingunit 80 (in other words, to perform the kneading operation).

The third control mode is a mode for swinging the entire pelvis supportmember 1 while keeping the inclination angle of the pelvis supportmember 1 constant for the purpose of training a muscle located in thepelvis site of the occupant. Specifically, in the third control mode,the expansion quantities of the seat back side lumbar support 2 and theseat cushion side lumbar support 3 are simultaneously adjusted.

More specifically, the expansion quantity of the seat back side lumbarsupport 2 is increased by a certain quantity and, at the same time, theexpansion quantity of the seat cushion side lumbar support 3 isdecreased by the same quantity. In this operation, the pelvis supportmember 1 is moved to be inclined forward while the inclination angle iskept constant. Subsequently, the expansion quantities of the seat backside lumbar support 2 and the seat cushion side lumbar support 3 arechanged by a reverse procedure of the above-mentioned procedure. In thisoperation, the pelvis support member 1 is moved to be inclined backwardwhile the inclination angle is kept constant. The pelvis support member1 performs a reciprocal movement in a swinging direction around the axis(represented by the symbol N in FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B) along the seatwidth direction by repeating the above-mentioned procedures.

Note that, when the ECU 60 controls the movable mechanism 50 inaccordance with the third control mode, the ECU 60 controls the movablemechanism 50 so that the pelvis support member 1 performs the reciprocalmovement in the swinging direction by a specified number of times. Thatis, the ECU 60 stops the swinging operation when the pelvis supportmember 1 completes the reciprocal movement in the swinging direction bythe specified number of times, and then controls the movable mechanism50 so that the pelvis support member 1 is returned to a predeterminedposition (e.g., the initial position).

The forcible exhaustion mode is a mode for forcibly exhausting the airfrom the seat back side lumbar support 2 and the seat cushion sidelumbar support 3. Specifically, air suction is performed by the firstpump 6A in a state in which the first suction valve 7C, the secondsuction valve 7D, and the exhaust valve 7E are opened. This operationexhausts the air from the seat back side lumbar support 2 and the seatcushion side lumbar support 3.

Note that, in the present embodiment, four kinds of the modes mentionedabove are included as the control modes, however, the kind and thenumber of the control modes are not particularly limited, and, forexample, a mode other than the four kinds of the modes mentioned abovemay be further included.

In the present embodiment, the ECU 60 has a function of identifying theoccupant seated on the vehicle seat S. That is, the ECU 60 according tothe present embodiment forms an occupant identification portion foridentifying the occupant seated on the vehicle seat S.

Specifically, at a time point when the occupant starts sitting on thevehicle seat S (that is, a starting time point of the seating period),the angle sensor 8 measures each of the inclination angles of the seatback side support portion 10 and the seat cushion side support portion20 at that time point and the weight sensor 70 measures the seat weight(that is, the weight of the occupant) at that time point. The ECU 60receives the output signals from the angle sensor 8 and the weightsensor 70 and determines the measurement results at the starting timepoint of the seating period.

Further, the ECU 60 stores information regarding the variation of theinclination angle of the pelvis support member 1 caused when theoccupant is seated on the vehicle seat S and information regarding theweight of that occupant for each of the plurality of the pre-registeredoccupants. Then, when the ECU 60 determines the measurement results ofthe angle sensor 8 and the weight sensor 70 at the starting time pointof the seating period, the ECU 60 can identify the occupant by collatingthe determined measurement results with the above-mentioned information.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the ECU 60 identifies theoccupant on the basis of the measurement results of the angle sensor 8and the weight sensor 70, however, the present disclosure is not limitedthereto. The occupant may be identified on the basis of informationother than the measurement results of the angle sensor 8 and the weightsensor 70, for example, occupant information that is input by theoccupant using an input device not illustrated, image information of theoccupant that is photographed by a camera installed in the vehicle, oroccupant information that is obtained by communicating with aninformation terminal (a smartphone, etc.) carried by the occupant.Further, the occupant may be identified by a device different from theECU 60.

Operation Examples of Seating Device Adjustment Unit

Hitherto, the seating device adjustment unit 100 has been described.Next, operation examples of the seating device adjustment unit 100 aredescribed. A state adjustment (hereinafter referred to as an adjustmentprocessing) of the vehicle seat S by the seating device adjustment unit100 is started, for example, when the occupant gets into the vehicle.Further, main operations of the adjustment processing proceed inaccordance with procedures shown in FIG. 18.

Specifically, in the main operations, the ECU 60 first controls themovable mechanism 50 to set each of the seat back side lumbar support 2and the seat cushion side lumbar support 3 into an initial state in anon-seating period during which the occupant is not seated on thevehicle seat S (5010). More specifically, the ECU 60 controls themovable mechanism 50 to fill air into each of the seat back side lumbarsupport 2 and the seat cushion side lumbar support 3 by a specifiedquantity before the occupant is seated on the vehicle seat S. Thisoperation allows each of the seat back side lumbar support 2 and theseat cushion side lumbar support 3 to expand until the inclination angleof each lumbar support becomes an initial value.

Note that the ECU 60 stores the initial value of the inclination angleand the air pressure corresponding to the initial value for each of theseat back side lumbar support 2 and the seat cushion side lumbar support3. Then, the ECU 60 expands the seat back side lumbar support 2 and theseat cushion side lumbar support 3 until the inclination angles becomethe initial values in step S001. During this step, the ECU 60 monitorsthe measurement results of the air pressure sensor 9 and stops the airsupply when the measurement results reach the air pressurescorresponding to the initial values.

Then, when the occupant is seated on the vehicle seat S, the pelvis siteof the occupant is supported by the pelvis support member 1.Accordingly, each of the inclination angles of the seat back side lumbarsupport 2 and the seat cushion side lumbar support 3 changes. The anglesensors 8 measure the inclination angles of the seat back side lumbarsupport 2 and the seat cushion side lumbar support 3 at that time point(that is, the starting time point of the seating period) and output thesignals corresponding to the measurement results (S002). The ECU 60receives the output signals from the angle sensors 8 and determines themeasurement results of the inclination angles at the starting time pointof the seating period (S003).

On the other hand, the ECU 60 stores the inclination angle of each ofthe seat back side lumbar support 2 and the seat cushion side lumbarsupport 3 adjusted into the initial state during the non-seating period,that is, the initial value of the inclination angle. Then, the ECU 60determines a difference between the measurement result of theinclination angle determined in step S003 and the initial value of theinclination angle (S004).

Further, when the occupant is seated on the vehicle seat S, the weightsensor 70 measures the seat weight, that is, the weight of the occupant,at that time point and outputs the signal corresponding to themeasurement result (S005). The ECU receives the output signal from theweight sensor 70 and determines the weight of the occupant seated on thevehicle seat S (S006).

Then, ECU 60 identifies the occupant seated on the vehicle seat S on thebasis of the difference between the measurement result of theinclination angle and the initial value determined in step S004 and theweight of the occupant determined in step S006 (S007).

Subsequently, when the operation switch 61 is operated by the occupant(S008), the ECU 60 controls the movable mechanism 50 by using theswitching operation as a trigger. More specifically, the ECU 60determines the control mode selected by the occupant using the operationswitch 61 to control the movable mechanism 50 (S009). After that, theECU 60 controls the movable mechanism 50 in accordance with thedetermined control mode. The control of the movable mechanism 50 in eachof the control modes is completed when a corresponding controlcompletion condition is satisfied. The control operations in each of thecontrol modes is described in detail below.

In a case where the first control mode is selected, the ECU 60 controlsthe movable mechanism 50 in accordance with the procedures shown in FIG.19. Specifically, the ECU 60 first reads out the first setting valuecorresponding to the occupant identified in step S007 from the firstsetting values stored for each occupant (5011). Then, the ECU 60controls the movable mechanism 50 so that each of the inclination anglesof the seat back side support portion 10 and the seat cushion sidesupport portion 20 becomes the first setting value (S012).

More specifically, the ECU 60 calculates a difference between theinclination angle at the present time point and the first setting value.Then, the ECU 60 controls the pumps 6 and the air adjusting valves 7 sothat air of the quantity corresponding to the calculated difference issupplied to or sucked from the seat back side lumbar support 2 and theseat cushion side lumbar support 3. In this manner, each of theexpansion quantities of the seat back side lumbar support 2 and the seatcushion side lumbar support 3 is adjusted so that the inclination anglesof the seat back side support portion 10 and the seat cushion sidesupport portion 20 become the first setting values.

Note that, when controlling the movable mechanism 50 in accordance withthe first control mode, the ECU 60 monitors the air pressures of theseat back side lumbar support 2 and the seat cushion side lumbar support3 measured by the air pressure sensors 9. Then, the ECU 60 completes thecontrol of the movable mechanism 50 when the measurement results of theair pressure sensors 9 reach the air pressures corresponding to thefirst setting values.

As described above, in the first control mode, the movable mechanism 50is controlled so that each of the inclination angles of the seat backside support portion 10 and the seat cushion side support portion 20becomes the first setting value. The first setting value describedherein is a value corresponding to the occupant seated on the vehicleseat S, specifically, a value corresponding to the occupant identifiedby the ECU 60 from the measurement results of the angle sensors 8 andthe weight sensor 70. In this sense, the first control mode is a modethat controls the movable mechanism 50 in accordance with theidentification result of the occupant and the measurement results of theangle sensors 8 and the weight sensor 70.

Further, in the present embodiment, the occupant is identified from thedifference between the measurement results of the inclination angles atthe starting time point of the seating period and the initial values ofthe inclination angles. Thus, the first control mode is a mode thatcontrols the movable mechanism 50 in accordance with the initial valuesof the inclination angles and the measurement results of the anglesensors 8 during the seating period.

Next, a description is given of a case where the second control mode isselected. In the second control mode, the ECU 60 controls the movablemechanism 50 in accordance with the procedures shown in FIG. 20.Specifically, the ECU 60 first controls the pumps 6 and the airadjusting valves 7 of the movable mechanism 50 to expand and contracteach of the kneading air cells 81 of the kneading unit 80, therebystarting the kneading operation (S021). In this operation, a pluralityof patterns are provided for the kneading operation. In the presentembodiment, three patterns (kneading patterns) are provided.

In a first kneading pattern, all six of the kneading air cells 81 areexpanded at the same timing and are also contracted at the same timing.In a second kneading pattern, after the kneading air cells 81 arrangedat the positions corresponding to the portions below the knees of theoccupant are expanded and contracted, the kneading air cells 81 arrangedat the positions corresponding to the lower portions of the femoralregions of the occupant are expanded and contracted, and then thekneading air cells 81 arranged at the positions corresponding to thegluteus maximus of the occupant are expanded and contracted. In a thirdkneading pattern, the kneading air cells 81 arranged at the positionscorresponding to the portions below the knees of the occupant and thekneading air cells 81 arranged at the positions corresponding to thegluteus maximus of the occupant are simultaneously expanded, and afterthese kneading air cells 81 are simultaneously contracted, the kneadingair cells 81 arranged at the positions corresponding to the lowerportions of the femoral regions of the occupant are expanded andcontracted.

The ECU 60 controls the movable mechanism 50 so that the kneadingoperation is performed in the set pattern selected from the threekneading patterns described above. Then, after the kneading operation iscontinued for a predetermined period of time, the ECU 60 temporarilystops the movable mechanism 50 to terminate the kneading operation(S022).

Subsequently, the ECU 60 reads out the second setting valuecorresponding to the occupant identified in step S007 from the secondsetting values stored for each occupant (S023). After that, the ECU 60controls the movable mechanism 50 so that each of the inclination anglesof the seat back side support portion 10 and the seat cushion sidesupport portion 20 becomes the second setting value (S024).

More specifically, the ECU 60 calculates a difference between theinclination angle at the present time point and the second settingvalue. Then, the ECU 60 controls the pumps 6 and the air adjustingvalves 7 so that air of the quantity corresponding to the calculateddifference is supplied to or sucked from the seat back side lumbarsupport 2 and the seat cushion side lumbar support 3. In this manner,each of the expansion quantities of the seat back side lumbar support 2and the seat cushion side lumbar support 3 is adjusted so that theinclination angles of the seat back side support portion 10 and the seatcushion side support portion 20 become the second setting values.

Note that, when controlling the movable mechanism 50 in accordance withthe second control mode, the ECU 60 monitors the air pressures of theseat back side lumbar support 2 and the seat cushion side lumbar support3 measured by the air pressure sensors 9. Then, when the measurementresults of the air pressure sensors 9 reach the air pressurescorresponding to the second setting values, the ECU 60 controls themovable mechanism 50 so that the air pressures at that time point aremaintained for a predetermined period of time (S025). Then, after aholding time of the air pressures reaches the predetermined period oftime, the ECU 60 controls the movable mechanism 50 so that the air ofthe seat back side lumbar support 2 and the seat cushion side lumbarsupport 3 is exhausted (S026). Finally, after the air of the seat backside lumbar support 2 and the seat cushion side lumbar support 3 iscompletely exhausted, the ECU 60 terminates the control of the movablemechanism 50.

As described above, in the second control mode, the movable mechanism 50is controlled so that each of the inclination angles of the seat backside support portion 10 and the seat cushion side support portion 20becomes the second setting value. The second setting value describedherein is a value corresponding to the occupant seated on the vehicleseat S, specifically, a value corresponding to the occupant identifiedby the ECU 60 from the measurement results of the angle sensors 8 andthe weight sensor 70. In this sense, the second control mode is a modethat controls the movable mechanism 50 in accordance with theidentification result of the occupant and the measurement results of theangle sensors 8 and the weight sensor 70.

Further, in the present embodiment, the occupant is identified from thedifference between the measurement results of the inclination angles atthe starting time point of the seating period and the initial values ofthe inclination angles. Thus, the second control mode is a mode thatcontrols the movable mechanism 50 in accordance with the initial valuesof the inclination angles and the measurement results of the anglesensors 8 during the seating period.

Next, a description is given of a case where the third control mode isselected. In the third control mode, the ECU 60 controls the movablemechanism 50 in accordance with the procedures shown in FIG. 21.Specifically, the ECU 60 first determines each of the inclination anglesof the seat back side support portion 10 and the seat cushion sidesupport portion 20 at that time point (S031). After that, the ECU 60controls the movable mechanism 50 to tilt the entire pelvis supportmember 1 forward while maintaining the determined inclination angle(S032).

Specifically, the ECU 60 controls the movable mechanism 50 so that theexpansion quantities of the seat back side lumbar support 2 and the seatcushion side lumbar support 3 are simultaneously adjusted. In thisoperation, the expansion quantity of the seat back side lumbar support 2is increased by a quantity necessary to tilt the seat back side supportportion 10 forward by a specified angle. On the other hand, theexpansion quantity of the seat cushion side lumbar support 3 isdecreased by a quantity corresponding to the increase of the expansionquantity of the seat back side lumbar support 2. As a result, the pelvissupport member 1 is inclined forward by the specified angle whilemaintaining its inclination angle.

Subsequently, the ECU 60 controls the movable mechanism 50 so that eachof the expansion quantities of the seat back side lumbar support 2 andthe seat cushion side lumbar support 3 is adjusted by reverse proceduresof the above-mentioned procedures (S033). In these procedures, theexpansion quantity of the seat cushion side lumbar support 3 isincreased by a quantity necessary to tilt the seat back side supportportion 10 backward by a specified angle. On the other hand, theexpansion quantity of the seat back side lumbar support 2 is decreasedby a quantity corresponding to the increase of the expansion quantity ofthe seat cushion side lumbar support 3. As a result, the pelvis supportmember 1 is inclined backward by the specified angle while maintainingits inclination angle.

The ECU 60 controls the movable mechanism 50 so that the pelvis supportmember 1 alternately repeats the forward-inclination operation andbackward-inclination operation described above. Further, the ECU 60counts the number of the swinging operation, specifically, the ECU 60increases the number of counts by 1 every time the forward-inclinationoperation and backward-inclination operation of the pelvis supportmember 1 are performed (S034).

Then, when the number of counts reaches a predetermined number (S035),the ECU 60 terminates the control for swinging the pelvis support member1. Subsequently, the ECU 60 controls the movable mechanism 50 so thateach of the inclination angles of the seat back side support portion 10and the seat cushion side support portion 20 is returned to the angledetermined in step S003 (that is, the inclination angle at the startingtime point of the seating period) (S036). Then, when each of theinclination angles of the seat back side support portion 10 and the seatcushion side support portion 20 is returned to the inclination angle atthe starting time point of the seating period, the ECU 60 terminates thecontrol of the movable mechanism 50.

Next, a description is given of a case where the forcible exhaustionmode is selected. In the forcible exhaustion mode, the ECU 60 controlsthe movable mechanism 50 so that each of the air pressures of the seatback side lumbar support 2 and the seat cushion side lumbar support 3 isdecreased to a predetermined value (S041). Further, when each of the airpressures of the seat back side lumbar support 2 and the seat cushionside lumbar support 3 is decreased to the predetermined value, the ECU60 controls the movable mechanism 50 so that each of the inclinationangles of the seat back side support portion 10 and the seat cushionside support portion 20 is returned to the angle determined in step S003(that is, the inclination angle at the starting time point of theseating period) (S042). Then, when each of the inclination angles of theseat back side support portion 10 and the seat cushion side supportportion 20 is returned to the inclination angle at the starting timepoint of the seating period, the ECU 60 terminates the control of themovable mechanism 50.

Other Embodiments

Thus far, the configurations of the seating device adjustment unit foradjusting the seat state of the vehicle seat S has been described as anembodiment of the present disclosure. However, the above embodiment ismerely an example for facilitating understanding of the presentdisclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is,the present disclosure may be modified or improved without departingfrom the gist of the present disclosure and such equivalents are alsoincluded in the present disclosure.

Further, in the above embodiment, the lumbar support (the air bag) thatis freely expandable by the inflow and outflow of air is used as themovable mechanism. However, the present disclosure is not limitedthereto, and other movable mechanisms (specifically, a mechanism inwhich each portion of the pelvis support member 1 is moved by thetraction of a wire or a mechanism in which each portion of the pelvissupport member 1 is moved using a retractably movable rod) may be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, the seat back side support portion 10and the seat cushion side support portion 20 are rotated around the axisalong the seat width direction to move the pelvis support member 1.However, the directions in which the seat back side support portion 10and the seat cushion side support portion 20 are moved are notparticularly limited, and the seat back side support portion 10 and theseat cushion side support portion 20 may be moved linearly in a front toback direction or a up and down direction.

The seating device adjustment unit according to the above embodiment isarranged in the vehicle seat S and enables appropriate adjustment of thepelvis degree of the occupant by the pelvis support member while theoccupant is seated on the seating device provided with the pelvissupport member. Various embodiments of the seating device adjustmentunit are as follows.

In a first embodiment, a seating device adjustment unit includes: aseating device having a seat back and a seat cushion; a seat back sidesupport portion arranged in the seat back; and a seat cushion sidesupport portion arranged in the seat cushion, and further including: apelvis support member for supporting a portion where a pelvis ispositioned in an occupant's body; a sensor for measuring an inclinationangle of at least one of the seat back side support portion and the seatcushion side support portion; a movable mechanism configured to move thepelvis support member to change the inclination angle; a control portionfor controlling the movable mechanism; and an occupant identificationportion for identifying an occupant seated on the seating device, inwhich the control portion controls the movable mechanism in accordancewith an identification result by the occupant identification portion anda measurement result by the sensor while the occupant is seated on theseating device.

According to the seating device adjustment unit having the configurationdescribed above, the pelvis support member including the seat back sidesupport portion and the seat cushion side support portion is arranged inthe seating device. Further, an inclination angle of at least one of theseat back side support portion and the seat cushion side support portionis changed in accordance with a shape of the body (more specifically, aportion where the pelvis is positioned in the body) of the occupantseated on the seating device. Further, the above-mentioned inclinationangle is adjusted such that the pelvis support member is moved by themovable mechanism. Further, the movable mechanism is controlled by thecontrol portion. In this operation, the control portion controls themovable mechanism in accordance with a measurement result of theinclination angle by the sensor and an identification result of theoccupant seated on the seating device. In this manner, theabove-mentioned inclination angle is adjusted in accordance with themeasurement result at the time when the movable mechanism is controlledand the occupant seated on the seating device. As a result, the pelvisangle of the occupant is appropriately adjusted while the occupant isseated on the seating device.

In a second embodiment of a seating device adjustment unit similar tothe first embodiment, it is preferable that the movable mechanism movesthe pelvis support member so that the inclination angle becomes aninitial value in a non-seating period during which the occupant is notseated on the seating device, the sensor measures the inclination anglein a seating period during which the occupant is seated on the seatingdevice, and the control portion controls the movable mechanism inaccordance with the initial value of the inclination angle and themeasurement result of the sensor in the seating period. According to theabove configuration, the control portion controls the movable mechanismin accordance with the initial value of the inclination angle and themeasurement result of the sensor in the seating period. In this manner,the inclination angle can be more appropriately adjusted in accordancewith a variation of the inclination angle caused when the occupant isseated on the seating device.

In a third embodiment of a seating device adjustment unit similar to thefirst embodiment, it is preferable that the control portion controls themovable mechanism in accordance with one mode selected from a pluralityof control modes, the plurality of the control modes include a firstcontrol mode and a second control mode, in the first control mode, thecontrol portion controls the movable mechanism so that the inclinationangle is changed to a first setting value corresponding to theidentification result by the occupant identification portion among thefirst setting values set for each occupant, in the second control mode,the control portion controls the movable mechanism so that theinclination angle is changed to a second setting value corresponding tothe identification result by the occupant identification portion amongthe second setting values set for each occupant, and the first settingvalue and the second setting value set for the same occupant aredifferent from each other. According to the above configuration, theplurality of the control modes are prepared when the control portioncontrols the movable mechanism. Further, among the plurality of thecontrol modes, the first control mode and the second control mode havethe different setting values for adjusting the inclination angle. Thus,when the control mode having the smaller setting value is selectedbetween the first control mode and the second control mode, theinclination angle can be adjusted more gently. Conversely, when thecontrol mode having the larger setting value is selected, theinclination angle can be adjusted more eminently. As described above, inthe above configuration, there are more variations in adjusting theinclination angle.

In a fourth embodiment of a seating device adjustment unit similar tothe third embodiment, it is preferable that the plurality of the controlmodes include a third control mode, and, in the third control mode, thecontrol portion controls the movable mechanism to swing the pelvissupport member while keeping the inclination angle constant. Accordingto the above configuration, the control mode (the third control mode)for controlling the movable mechanism to swing the pelvis support memberwhile keeping the inclination angle constant is further included. Then,in the case where the third control mode is selected, the portion wherethe pelvis is positioned in the occupant's body can be stimulated byswinging the pelvis support member. As a result, the body of theoccupant can be trained.

In a fifth embodiment of a seating device adjustment unit similar to thefourth embodiment, it is preferable that, in the third control mode, thecontrol portion controls the movable mechanism so that the pelvissupport member performs a reciprocal movement in a swinging directionaround an axis along a width direction of the seating device by aspecified number of times. According to the above configuration, whenthe control portion controls the movable mechanism in accordance withthe third control mode, the pelvis support member performs thereciprocal movement (swinging) in a front to back direction by thespecified number of times. In this manner, the portion where the pelvisis positioned in the occupant's body can be effectively trained.

In a sixth embodiment of a seating device adjustment unit similar to thefirst embodiment, it is preferable that, the sensor measures theinclination angle in the seating period during which the occupant isseated on the seating device, and the occupant identification portionidentifies the occupant seated on the seating device on the basis of themeasurement result of the sensor at a starting time point of the seatingperiod. According to the above configuration, the occupant seated on theseating device is identified by using the measurement result of thesensor at the starting time point of the seating period (that is, theinclination angle at a time point when the occupant starts sitting onthe seating device). In this manner, identification accuracy of theoccupant can be improved.

In a seventh embodiment of a seating device adjustment unit similar tothe first embodiment, the seating device is preferably a vehicle seatinstalled in a vehicle. According to the above configuration, theseating device is the vehicle seat, thus the pelvis angle of theoccupant can be adjusted while the occupant is seated on the vehicleseat.

TABLE OF REFERENCE NUMERALS  1: Pelvis support member 1a: Supportsurface 1b: Protruding region 1c: Recessed region 1x: Base portion 1y:Cushion mat  2: Seat back side lumbar support (movable mechanism, firstmovable mechanism)  3: Seat cushion side lumbar support (movablemechanism, first movable mechanism)  4: Upper side lumbar support(second movable mechanism)  5: Lower side lumbar support (second movablemechanism)  6: Pump 6A: First pump 6B: Second pump  7: Air adjustingvalve 7A: First inflow valve 7B Second inflow valve 7C First suctionvalve 7D Second suction valve 7E Exhaust valve  8: Angle sensor (sensor) 9: Air pressure sensor 10: Seat back side support portion 11: Notch 12:First seat back side support portion 13: Second seat back side supportportion 20: Seat cushion side support portion 21: Notch 22: First seatcushion side support portion 23: Second seat cushion side supportportion 30: Connection portion 40: Support plate 50: Movable mechanism60: ECU 61: Operation switch 70: Weight sensor 80: Kneading unit 81:Kneading air cell 100:  Seating device adjustment unit F: Seat backframe FP: Pressure receiving member FP1: Elastic spring FP2: Resin plateFS: Side frame P: Pad S: Vehicle seat Sh: Seating portion S1: Seat backS2: Seat cushion S3: Headrest

1. A seating device adjustment unit comprising: a seating device havinga seat back and a seat cushion; a pelvis support member arranged in theseating device and configured to support a portion of an occupant's bodywhere a pelvis of the occupant is positioned; an electronic control unitand a kneading unit configured to perform a kneading operation, wherein:the electronic control unit is configured to control the kneading unitto perform a kneading operation before controlling the pelvis supportmember to move. 2-8. (canceled)
 9. The seating device adjustment unitaccording to claim 1, wherein: the kneading unit comprises a kneadingelement that is arranged at a position corresponding to a gluteusmaximus in a back portion of the occupant.
 10. The seating deviceadjustment unit according to claim 1, wherein: the kneading unitcomprises a kneading element that is arranged at a positioncorresponding to a lower femoral region in a back portion of theoccupant.
 11. The seating device adjustment unit according to claim 1,wherein: the kneading unit comprises a kneading element that is arrangedat a position corresponding to a region below a knee in a back portionof the occupant.
 12. The seating device adjustment unit according toclaim 1, wherein: the kneading unit is arranged in front of the pelvissupport member in a front to back direction of the seating device. 13.The seating device adjustment unit according to claim 12, wherein: theseat cushion comprises a central region and an outer region that is anouter side of the central region in a width direction of the seatcushion; and the kneading unit is arranged in the central region of theseat cushion.
 14. The seating device adjustment unit according to claim1, wherein: the pelvis support member comprises a notch at a centralportion of the pelvis support member in a width direction of the seatingdevice; and the kneading unit is arranged at a position that does notoverlap with the notch in a front to back direction of the seatingdevice.
 15. The seating device adjustment unit according to claim 1,wherein: the kneading unit includes a first kneading element and asecond kneading element; the first kneading element is arranged at aposition that overlaps with the pelvis support member in an up to downdirection; and the second kneading element is arranged at a positionthat does not overlap with the pelvis support member in the up to downdirection.
 16. The seating device adjustment unit according to claim 15,wherein: a width of the first kneading element in a width direction ofthe seating device is larger than a width of the second kneading elementin the width direction of the seating device.
 17. The seating deviceadjustment unit according to claim 1, wherein: the kneading unitincludes a plurality of kneading elements; and the electronic controlunit is configured to control the plurality of kneading elements to bemoved simultaneously.
 18. The seating device adjustment unit accordingto claim 1, further comprising: an air bag that is expandable andconfigured to move the pelvis support member.
 19. The seating deviceadjustment unit according to claim 18, wherein: the kneading unit isarranged in front of the air bag in a front to back direction of theseating device.
 20. A vehicle seat comprising the seating deviceadjustment unit according to claim 1.